Spark-plug tester



M. NQRDEN SPARK PLUG TESTER Filed Feb. 14. 1924 IN VEN TOR J/arfz'zzzer zVordc'n Jim ATTORNEYS Patented May 5, 1925.

MOB-TIMER NORZDEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPARK-PLUG TESTER.

Application filed February 14,1924. Serial No. 692,679.

To-aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MORTIMER Norman, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Manhattan, in'the city, county, and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Spark-Plug Testers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for testing the spark plugs of internal combustion engines, and its object is to provide an 1nexpensive article which may be quickly and conveniently applied directly to the conductor wires leading to the spark plugs at any desired oint whereby the conditionpf the plug wi be visibly disclosed, and which may be applied in turn to thewires of each spark plug, or by using a se arate indicator for each'plug they may be eft in position so that the condition of the entire series of spark plugs may be indicated and compared at a glance.

The details of the invention are hereinafter particularly set forth and described.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the indicator applied to the conductor wires of a spark plug.

Fig. 2 is a rear end view partly in section, the spark plug being removed.

- Fig. 3 is an end view of one of the double clips, and

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing a modification.

Similar reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, 10 indicates a tubular casing of transparent non-conducting material, preferably glass, and of a diameter and length that will readily permit the same to be carried in the pocket. The casing 10 is filled with Neon or other gas, or rarefied air, and on the ends of the casing are fitted metallic caps 11 and 12,

v which are cemented or otherwise sealed in place.

13 and 14: are two semicircular sockets which receive the 'end caps 11 and 12, such sockets being formed of sheet metal such as copper or brass, and having suificient resiliency to allow said caps to be easily sprung mtothem, but which grip the caps the insulatin sufliciently to prevent their accidental separation from the sockets.

Secured to the bottom of the sockets at their center by solder or any suitable means, and depending therefrom are spring clips 15 and 16,also formed of sheet metal such as copper or brass, which are adapted to be sprung over the insulated conductor wires 17 leading to the spark lug 20, and which grip the covering 18 of t e wires with suflicient firmness to hold the device thereto without liability of accidental displacement,

but which possess sufficient resiliency to permit the device to be removed readily when desired.

Within the center of either or both of these clips 15 and. 16, there is a pointed metallic pin 19 secured to the clip or clips by solder or other suitable means.

When the clips are forced over the conductor wires these pointed pins penetrate material 18 covering the wires and ma e electrical contact'with such wires conveying the current through the sockets 13 and 14 and end caps 11 and 12, to the gas filling the tubular casing 10, which becomes illuminated by the passing current of electricit and soindicates to the eye the condition 0 the 's ark plug. i

It will be rea ily understood that the casing 10 may be withdrawn from the sockets 13 and 14 when desired,leaving the sockets in position upon the conductors, theybein so held b the clips 15 and 16, whereby t ey are rea y to receive a casing at any time but these sockets 13 and 14 may be dispensed with entirely. in which case the clips 15 and 16, are secured directly to the end caps 11 and 12, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

My invention provides an inexpensive, convenient and portable device for detecting quickly and wlth certainty the faults of spark plu of internal combustion engines; it is quic 1 applied to the electrical conductors lea ing to the spark plugs whereby the passing current of electricity visibly discloses the condition of the plugs.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a transparent casing, metallic caps closing the ends thereof, clips connected memos with said caps, and means secured to said clips secured to said sockets, and pointed cups for penetrating the insulation of elecpins secured to said clips for making contric conductors. tact with electric conductors. 2. A device of the character described, Signed by me this 7th day of February, 6 comprising a transparent casing, metallic 1924.

caps closing the ends thereof, metallic'sockets into which said caps are inserted, resilient MORTIMER'NORDEN. 

